Christmas Time

We had a very busy but very fun Christmas.
Daddy's home and Aubrey's getting lots of "chase" in and rides around the house.

This was the first real "White Christmas" I remember in a long time. Drew and Annie took advantage of it to build a genuine Kentucky snow lady. By the end of their time here she was missing all her teeth and didn't have much hair left.

We spent Christmas Eve at our house in Warrenton. Aubrey likes to play piano now and sing along. We're not always sure what she's singing but over Christmas her favorites were Away in a Manger and "Fa-La-La." (Deck the Halls)

Opening presents at home on Christmas Eve.

Opening her Cinderella dress up kit at Grandpa & Grammy Anderson's house on Christmas Day.

The Anderson family Christmas. Shana and Dan had already left before we thought to get a family picture.

Getting ready to go to Emily & Joel's wedding. She loves her scarf from Aunt Annie and Uncle Drew.

At the wedding, helping the bridesmaids get ready.

Aubrey helped Nana decorate some at the wedding.

Aubrey dancing with the other kids at the wedding. She loved the dance floor until the DJ started talking...it was too loud. :)

Our 22 Month Old Sledding...By Herself

A video of Aubrey sledding down the hill by our house. She did not want to come inside to take a nap today. Too much fun with Daddy.

Snow Day at the Beach

We got a few inches of snow yesterday and through the night so Aubrey & I took advantage of it and went outside to play today. Making breakfast this morning. This is our darling (and her hair) when she gets up.
"Mommy, it's kinda cold out here...but I think I like it."

"Yep, I love it!"

And now we are headed in to get some hot chocolate! Aubrey kept saying, "Mooore..." with every sip she got.

*Sidenote* This was around the time John was flying over to Portland in the helicopter. Mom Anderson got to stand outside her house and wave to the huge machine hovering over her this afternoon...with her son as the co-pilot. Pretty cool, huh?

Daddy's Home!

We are so glad Daddy is finally home! Aubrey has had lots of fun this weekend reading to Daddy and playing catch with him. She's been showing him all sorts of new things that he hasn't had a chance to see yet. And, we even got to go for a hike this morning around a pretty lake! Daddy's girls going to pick him up at the airport.

The next morning, one of the first orders of business was to go get the Christmas tree! Aubrey loves her daddy.

Helping daddy find the perfect tree.

Daddy cutting down our perfect tree.

Aubrey putting the star where she thought it looked best.

Daddy putting the star at the very top of the tree. :) With Aubrey's help of course.

What We've Been Up To

This is part of Aubrey's morning routine. She gets up, we turn on music, and she piles her "babies" on the bed and reads them stories. I'm not sure why the picture is fuzzy but here it is. We are doing well. Aubrey & I spent Thanksgiving with the Andersons. We had a great time, eating good food and catching up with everyone. We're glad it's December because we get to see Daddy soon! John is still working hard in Mobile and we are anxiously anticipating his return home.

Aubrey helped me decorate for Christmas yesterday so the house feels very much like home with the garlands, snowmen, and nativity up. Christmas is my favorite season...we have so much to be thankful for and I believe the root of everything we can thank God for is in the meaning of Christmas. Yesterday Aubrey heard "Away in a Manger," on the radio and she was dancing around the house doing the motions. Our little girl reminds us even more of just how precious that night was when Jesus was born. She loves reading and singing about baby Jesus.

Okay, it's only December 1st, but why not celebrate through the whole month the gift God gave us on that special night?